# MiNT

> alternative operating system kernel for the Atari ST system and its successors

**Wikidata**: [Q1926549](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1926549)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MiNT)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mint

## Summary
MiNT (MiNT is Now TOS or FreeMiNT) is an alternative operating system kernel designed for the Atari ST system and its successors, providing a modern alternative to the original Atari TOS.

## Key Facts
- MiNT is an operating system for Atari ST systems and its successors.
- It has multiple versions including 1.15.10b (2000-10-29), 1.15.12 (2001-08-01), 1.16.0b (2004-07-19), 1.16.1b (2004-10-11), 1.16.2b (2005-01-23), 1.17.0 (2010-12-30), and the latest stable version 1.18.0 (2013-03-17).
- The operating system has aliases including MiNT is Now TOS and FreeMiNT.
- Its website is https://freemint.github.io/ and source code is available at https://github.com/freemint/freemint.
- It is classified as an operating system and is developed as free software.
- The operating system has been in development since at least 2000.

## FAQs
### Q: What is MiNT and what is its purpose?
A: MiNT is an alternative operating system kernel designed for the Atari ST system and its successors, providing a modern replacement for the original Atari TOS.

### Q: What are the different versions of MiNT?
A: MiNT has multiple versions including pre-release and stable versions, with the latest stable version being 1.18.0 from 2013.

### Q: Is MiNT still being developed?
A: Yes, the operating system has been continuously developed with the latest stable version released in 2013.

### Q: How does MiNT compare to the original Atari TOS?
A: MiNT provides modern features and improvements while maintaining compatibility with the original Atari ST hardware and software.

## Why It Matters
MiNT represents an important continuation of the Atari ST ecosystem, providing users with a modern alternative to the original Atari TOS that was released with the hardware. As the original TOS became outdated and proprietary, MiNT filled a critical gap by offering a free, open-source operating system that maintained compatibility with existing applications while adding new features and improvements. The project has been sustained by a dedicated community of developers and users who have maintained the software for over two decades, ensuring the legacy of the Atari ST platform remains accessible to new generations of users.

## Notable For
- MiNT is known as "MiNT is Now TOS" or FreeMiNT as alternative names.
- It has maintained compatibility with the original Atari ST hardware and software while adding modern features.
- The operating system has been continuously developed with stable releases from 2001 through 2013.
- It provides a free and open-source alternative to the proprietary Atari TOS.
- The project has maintained a dedicated community of developers and users over two decades.

## Body
### Development History
MiNT was developed as an alternative to the original Atari TOS, which became outdated and proprietary over time. The operating system has undergone continuous development since its inception, with multiple versions released between 2000 and 2013. The project has maintained compatibility with the original Atari ST hardware while introducing modern features and improvements.

### Technical Specifications
The operating system is designed specifically for the Atari ST platform and its successors. It provides a modern kernel that maintains compatibility with existing applications while adding new capabilities. The development has focused on stability, performance, and feature enhancements over the years.

### Version Evolution
The version history shows a progression from pre-release beta versions to stable releases:
- 1.15.10b (pre-release, 2000-10-29)
- 1.15.12 (stable, 2001-08-01)
- 1.16.0b (pre-release, 2004-07-19)
- 1.16.1b (pre-release, 2004-10-11)
- 1.16.2b (pre-release, 2005-01-23)
- 1.17.0 (stable, 2010-12-30)
- 1.18.0 (stable, 2013-03-17, marked as preferred)

### Community and Support
MiNT has maintained an active community of developers and users throughout its history. The project's website and GitHub repository provide resources for users and contributors. The operating system has been supported across multiple languages as indicated by its Wikipedia presence in several languages including English, German, French, Japanese, Norwegian, Polish, and Swedish.

### Relationship with Other Software
MiNT is designed to run on Atari ST systems and has been noted to work with applications like NetSurf web browser, as indicated in the structured properties. The operating system maintains compatibility with existing software while providing modern functionality.

## References

1. [FreeMiNT 1.15.10b. 2000](https://github.com/freemint/freemint/releases/tag/beta-1_15_10)
2. [FreeMiNT 1.15.12. 2001](https://github.com/freemint/freemint/releases/tag/release-1_15_12)
3. [FreeMiNT 1.16.0b. 2004](https://github.com/freemint/freemint/releases/tag/beta-1_16_0)
4. [FreeMiNT 1.16.1b. 2004](https://github.com/freemint/freemint/releases/tag/beta-1_16_1)
5. [FreeMint 1.16.2b. 2005](https://github.com/freemint/freemint/releases/tag/beta-1_16_2)
6. [FreeMiNT 1.17.0. 2010](https://github.com/freemint/freemint/releases/tag/freemint-1_17_0)
7. [FreeMiNT 1.18.0. 2013](https://github.com/freemint/freemint/releases/tag/freemint-1_18_0)
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013